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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Princess Hungioyen Bella" <larryjames701@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "Mrs. Princess Hungioyen Bella" <dr.johnrichard00@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2015 19:30:35 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Contact Person John .Richard for your bank draft
Contact Person John .Richard for your bank draft
Dear Friend,
This is to thank you for your effort. I understand that your hands were tied. Not to worry. I have succeeded and the money has been transferred into the account provided by a newly found friend of mine in Australia. To compensate for your past assistance and commitments have dropped an International Certify Bank Draft of $10.5million for you.
I am in now in hospital for treatment of cancer which may led me to dead in any moment from now, please remember to pay 10 percent to charity organization and remain balance is for you and your family.
Moreover, Contact John .Richard with blow information to enable him delivery the cheque to you.
Contact person: John Richard
Telephone: +229 67621903
Forward my mail to him, then ask him to send the cheque to you and provide for him the following information.
Your full name__________________
Your address______________________
Your country_______________________
Your age___________________________
Your occupation_______________________
Your Phone number_____________________
E-Mail_________________________________
Take good care of your self and more bless.
Regards,
Mrs. Princess Hungioyen Bella
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